In July this year, Japan's hot rolled plate and sheet shipments increased by five percent on month-on-month basis and were up by six percent on year-on-year basis, amounting to 1 million metric tons. 66 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 44 percent were made to the export markets, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) data.
In July, Japan's hot rolled strip shipments amounted to 1.37 million mt, increasing five percent compared to June and up 10 percent year on year. 33 percent of shipments were made to the domestic market, while the remaining 67 percent were made to the export markets.
Meanwhile, the average domestic price for HR plate and sheet in Japan in July this year was JPY 80,000/mt (approx. $1,023/mt), falling JPY 3,000/mt (approx. $38.4/mt) compared to the previous month and down by JPY 8,000/mt (approx. $102.3/mt) year on year. The average domestic price for HR strip in the month in question was JPY 65,000/mt (approx. $831.5/mt), remaining unchanged compared to the previous month and down by JPY 8,000/mt (approx. $102.3/mt) year on year.